Special Education and Teaching at Marymount University

Peer programs nationwide suggest a first-year salary around $44,000 for special education teachers with a bachelor's degree, which falls squarely in line with what most programs produce nationally. What's particularly relevant for a Virginia family: this estimated figure sits above the $39,700 median for special education programs in the state, suggesting Marymount's grads may enter at competitive starting salaries—though without school-specific data, this remains an informed projection rather than a guarantee.

The estimated $27,000 debt load creates a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning your child would owe roughly seven months of their projected first-year salary. That's reasonable by education standards, especially in a field where loan forgiveness programs exist for public school teachers. Virginia requires special education teachers, and the consistent demand in Northern Virginia schools could mean steady employment prospects, though starting salaries won't climb dramatically—similar programs across the state cluster tightly around $40,000.

The practical question is whether your child is committed to special education specifically. If they're certain about this career path, the estimated numbers suggest a viable financial picture with debt that shouldn't overwhelm entry-level teacher pay. The uncertainty in these estimates, however, means you should ask Marymount directly about recent graduate outcomes and placement rates in local school districts before making a final decision.